Download Name: Nalandabodhi - Buddhist Chaplains Network

Name: Nalandabodhi
Leader: Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche
Tradition: Tibetan
Locations: Seattle, Washington
URL: www.nalandabodhi.org/home.html
Study and Practice Curriculum
Education And Meditation Program
In accordance with the vision of contributing to an authentic transmission of the Buddhadharma to
contemporary students, The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche has designed a complete, progressive
curriculum providing in-depth training in study, reflection and meditation. A graduate of the Kagyu
shedra founded by the Sixteenth Karmapa and a leading scholar of Kagyu educational traditions,
Rinpoche, additionally, has spent many years living and teaching in the West. This exceptional
combination of training and experience uniquely qualifies Rinpoche to adapt the traditional study
and practices of Tibetan Buddhism to our modern international communities—in the West as well
as the East. To this end, Rinpoche has designed a modern curriculum for Western lay students
based on the traditional Kagyu shedra (or monastic university) curriculum. In 1998, the
Venerable Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche graciously assumed the position of Spiritual
Director of Nalandabodhi and currently works closely with Rinpoche on the development of all
phases of the curriculum.
Formal study at Nalandabodhi Dharma Centers presently consists of a Hinayana - Mahayana
curriculum, in a format utilizing source book materials, lectures, discussion groups and exams.
This curriculum is also available in a home-study format. Many students who wish to develop their
study and practice may not have access to a local dharma center or may be unable to attend
regularly formal teachings or other practice programs. Rinpoche's home-study curriculum allows
students, wherever located, to follow an authentic, in-depth course of study and practice when the
support of a local center is not available. Nalandabodhi students study and practice within the
lineages of the Nyingma and Kagyu traditions held by Rinpoche
Buddhist Ritual and Ceremony
Nalandabodhi supports Buddhist chaplains in the West by developing English-language liturgies
and ceremonies appropriate for major life events such as weddings, baptisms and funerals.
Additionally, Nalandabodhi works with Buddhist chaplains in hospital and hospice environments
to formulate skillful methods for applying Buddhist principles to their work.
Overview
Nalandabodhi offers a complete study program on Buddhism, available at Nalandabodhi centers
and via home study. Through a well-defined curriculum, students systematically learn and deepen
their knowledge of dharma. The Nalandabodhi study curriculum is carefully designed to provide
step-by-step guidance, and to prepare the students to undertake an extensive study program at
Nitartha Institute. These study programs are developed and implemented under the guidance of
The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, with continual advice from Rinpoche's teacher, Khenpo Tsultrim
Gyamtso Rinpoche.
Nalandabodhi Study Curriculum
Nalandabodhi Study and Meditation Centers offer a comprehensive
curriculum in Buddhist studies, which adapts the traditional curriculum
taught in Tibetan Buddhist educational academies for Western
audiences. Students progress sequentially through basic Buddhist
introductory topics, the increasingly complex topics of the Hinayana and
Mahayana studies, and conclude with the subtleties of the Vajrayana.
(Detailed curriculum outline.) The curriculum is also supplemented by an advanced
Buddhist studies program provided at Nitartha Institute. Such a systematically
organized curriculum of Buddhist studies, which leads students through a gradual
path, is for the most part unavailable elsewhere.
The Nalandabodhi Study Curriculum is the product of many years of work in
transmitting, translating and adapting the traditional educational system for students in
the West. Completion of the curriculum provides a student with a comprehensive
foundation in all aspects of Buddhist studies.
The core curriculum is composed of original teaching
materials, distinguished by their thoroughness and
accessibility. The core curricular materials were drawn
primarily from the teachings of The Dzogchen Ponlop
Rinpoche, who designed the curriculum as well as the
advanced study program at Nitartha Institute.
Rinpoche is acknowledged as one of the foremost scholars
of his generation in the Nyingma and Kagyu schools of
Tibetan Buddhism. Schooled in the traditional Buddhist
educational system, Rinpoche has also studied in Western
educational institutions and has taught Western students
for many years. Fluent in the English language and wellversed in Western culture, Rinpoche has been able to develop a curriculum, which
addresses the needs of Western students while maintaining a fidelity to authentic
Buddhist teaching principles.
The Nalandabodhi Study Curriculum is offered in conjunction with the Nalandabodhi
Practice Curriculum for Nalandabodhi students. Together, these two curricula,
designed and supervised by The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, provide students with a
thorough training in the philosophical and meditative disciplines of the genuine lineage
of the Kagyü and Nyingma traditions. The Nalandabodhi Study Curriculum is
developed and maintained on an ongoing basis by the Nalandabodhi Curriculum
Committee. For more on the practice curriculum, contact a Nalandabodhi center near
you or the Nalandabodhi practice director.
We wish to express our deep appreciation to The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche for
these teachings and for transmitting their heart essence to us with such precision,
clarity and warmth and to Acharya Sherap Gyaltsen Negi, Acharya Lama Tenpa
Gyaltsen and Acharya Tashi Wangchuk for their advice and continual support of
students. May all those who travel this path of study achieve realization and continue
the sublime tradition of liberating suffering by pointing out enlightenment.
Outline of the Nalandabodhi Study Curriculum
The Nalandabodhi Study Curriculum provides a comprehensive
introduction to Buddhism and deepens the understanding of the
teachings in stages, by systematically leading students through a
complete overview of the ground, path and fruition of the three
yana journey. After optional introductory courses, the main study
curriculum is divided into three years of studies of the Hinayana,
Mahayana and Vajrayana teachings respectively. A detailed
outline of the classes, modules and courses is available below
and by following the links.
Introduction to Buddhadharma (curriculum 100 series courses)
The introductory classes explore the basic principles underlying all the different
schools of Buddhism, laying the foundation for a deeper studies in subsequent
courses. These classes cover topics such as "What Is Buddhism," "The Life of the
Buddha," "Three Jewels" (Buddha, Dharma and Sangha), an overview called
"Karma, Merit and Magic," and "Wisdom of Emotions."
Introductory classes.
Hinayana (curriculum 200 series courses)
Hinayana studies are the foundation for Buddhist learning. The Four Marks of
Existence — impermanence, suffering, defilement, and egolessness — distinguish
Buddhism from other religions. The Four Noble Truths explain suffering, the origin of
suffering, the cessation of suffering and the path that leads to that cessation. In
Hinayana, we also find a detailed analysis of ourselves, as individuals, and of the
world in which we live. Furthermore, Hinayana teachings include the study of Buddhist
ethics and society, as well as serving as a bridge to the Mahayana and Vajrayana
teachings.
Hinayana course outline.
Mahayana (curriculum 300 series courses)
The Mahayana Teachings introduce the topics of the vast conduct of great
compassion and profound view of emptiness view. We study the different views of the
Mahayana schools, where the famous Madhyamaka doctrines are introduced. The
classes on the Mahayana Path cover the four mindfulnesses, the bodhisattva vows
and practices, and the mind training. This level of coursework concludes with a
discussion of the paths, bhumis and Mahayana enlightenment.
Mahayana course outline.
Vajrayana (curriculum 400 series courses)
Vajrayana Buddhism is the innermost essence of the Mahayana Teachings of the
Buddha. This course is mainly focused on the view of Vajrayana and provides an
introduction to the different levels of the Vajrayana path, as well as Mahamudra and
Dzogchen. In order to have a proper understanding and realization in Vajrayana
practice, one must rely on genuine knowledge and wisdom of the three yana view,
meditation and action. It is necessary for each individual student to learn this section
of the three yana curriculum with his or her own individual Vajrayana master.
Vajrayana course outline.
Course Outlines
Course Outlines
Courses and classes are identified by number to indicate the ideal sequence of study.
It is not necessary that the sequence of courses be taken in order, but the sequence
is designed to display an ideal path from foundation through advanced studies. 400
level classes do have prerequisites. The following table provides links to each of the
four levels of course work.
Number
Curriculum
INT 100
An Introduction To Buddhadharma: Discovering The Heart Of
Enlightenment
HIN 200
Hinayana: The Path Of The Noble Ones
MAH 300
Mahayana: Compassion Without Limit
VAJ 400
Vajrayana View: Devotion And Enlightenment
Note: we have successfully laid the ground of developing this vision of providing
complete and in-depth study of dharma at the local centers or as a home study course.
We are still working to refine different parts of the curriculum, and rely on the support of
interested students and friends of Nalandabodhi. We appreciate and welcome your
help and participation; please feel free to volunteer in any way you can to provide such
gift of dharma to others.